The 23-year-old spent last season on loan at Sunderland and was a big hit on Wearside after a difficult first season at Anfield.

However according to reports in Italy, Borini’s agent Marco De Marchi is adamant his client’s preference is to stay with Liverpool and prove himself under Brendan Rodgers.

“He wants to remain on Merseyside,” said De Marchi, quoted by tuttomercatoweb.com. “Sunderland have made a large offer of 18million euros to sign him, but Fabio wants to stay at Liverpool.

“His project with Liverpool started two years ago when he left Roma; he began a journey and it is a major project for him.

“He should not be judged on his first year. He was out for six months with various injuries and during the past year he took a step back by going to Sunderland and he has had an extraordinary season.

“His future? Now, after the loan, Liverpool have not told me anything. I think he will stay, he is convinced that he will play.”

Liverpool have already signed Rickie Lambert and are close to securing the signature of Loic Remy after the Frenchman flew to the US – where the Reds are on their pre-season tour – to undergo a medical.

If Borini does elect to stay at Anfield, playing time might be hard to come by with England duo Daniel Sturridge and Raheem Sterling also in the mix.

De Marchi is confident his client can rise to the challenge and maintains he will not fazed by the prospect of fighting for his place.

He said: “(Playing behind) Sterling, Sturridge, Lambert and now Remy? At Roma he was with Francesco Totti, Dani Osvaldo, Erik Lamela and Bojan Krkic.

“He has no fear of playing alongside anyone, and for me he can play a part within any top club.”

till I suppose it still gives him at least another year in the job. By the time it comes around , he can always make up another excuse. First it was 3 months , then a year .....Next year ? Whats his excuse with Van Persie ?